[President Obama met for a little over an hour with twelve selected American Muslims representing leadership in community, business, health care, and other areas. The round table discussion was closed to the media and the White House requested participants not disclose the details of the discussions. The President made general references to the round table discussion during his main address afterwards, saying he had just met with some extraordinary Muslim Americans from across the country who are doing extraordinary work not just in the Muslim community but in the American community. He added that you couldnt help but be inspired, hearing about the extraordinary work that theyre doing. But you also could not help but be heartbroken to hear their worries and their anxieties. The rapid rise in Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims was among the major topics discussed at the round table. TML]
List of Roundtable Participants
Ms. Kameelah Mu'Min Rashad, Founder, Muslim Wellness Foundation & Chaplain at University of Pennsylvania
Kameelah Mu'Min Rashad is the founder of Muslim Wellness Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing stigma associated with mental illness in the Muslim American community, and also serves as the Interfaith Fellow & Muslim Chaplain at the University of Pennsylvania.
Imam Khalid Latif, Executive Director and Chaplain, Islamic Center at New York University
Imam Khalid Latif is Executive Director and Chaplain for the Islamic Center at New York University where he was appointed the first Muslim chaplain in 2005. In 2007, he was nominated to become the youngest chaplain in history of the New York City Police Department, and last year he presided over an interfaith service with Pope Francis at Ground Zero.
Dr. Suzanne Barakat, Chair, Our Three Winners Endowment Fund
Suzanne is a resident in Family Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital (UCSF). Outside of her role at UCSF, she has worked with Syrian refugees, and conducted research on mental health in Arabic-speaking populations. She is passionate about women's health, mental health, global health, and social justice. In February 2015, her brother, his wife, and her sister were murdered in their Chapel Hill home.
Mr. Rami Nashashibi, Executive Director, Inner-City Muslim Action Network
Rami Nashashibi, a White House Champion of Change, is the Executive Director of Inner-City Muslim Action Network, a community organization dedicated to creating safer and healthier neighborhoods through organizing for social change, cultivating the arts and operating a holistic health center in Chicago's southwest side.
Ms. Khadija Gurnah, Founder, Project Ejaba
Khadija Gurnah, a White House Champion of Change, is a public health professional and an advocate for youth who has channeled her passions into Project Ejaba - a platform for Muslim young adults that provides resources and programming, including programming to promote social change, a national campaign to raise awareness on mental health issues and an interfaith program for Muslim artists across the country.
Mr. Colin Christopher, Executive Director, Green Muslims
Colin Christopher is the Executive Director of Green Muslims, a faith-based environmental advocacy organization that offers educational programming and brings people of faith together to volunteer on environmental projects across their communities.
Ms. Ibtihaj Muhammad, United States Fencing Team
A three-time All-American at Duke, Ibtihaj Muhammad is a member of the United States fencing team and the first Muslim woman to represent the United States in international fencing competitions. Muhammad qualified for a spot on the United States Olympic Team for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, where she will make history as the first United States Olympian to compete in a hijab.
Ms. Sarah Jawaid, Community Organizer, LA Voice
Sarah Jawaid is a community organizer with LA Voice, a non-profit affiliate of the PICO National Network, where she does faith-based social justice organizing and leadership development in Los Angeles.
Ms. Emtithal "Emi" Mahmoud, Student, Yale University
Emtithal Mahmoud is a senior at Yale University and the winner of the 2015 Individual World Poetry Slam Championship. Mahmoud is originally from Darfur, Sudan.
Mr. Saafir Rabb, Founder, Interculture
Saafir Rabb is the founder and CEO of Interculture, a consulting firm that advises businesses on cultural competency, and assists numerous organizations and enterprises to develop strategic approaches and improve relationships. A former consultant to the President's transition team for public diplomacy, Saafir is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, and a board member of Educate Girls Globally.
Dr. Edmund Tori, Associate Director of MedStar Institute for Innovation (MI2), Advisory Board, Islamic Society of Baltimore
Edmund A. Tori, D.O., is the Associate Director of MedStar Institute for Innovation (MI2) and Director of the Center for Health Influence & Engagement, where he works with the staff of the MedStar Health to better communicate with patients and colleagues for improved patient care and safety.
Imam Yaseen Shaikh, Islamic Society of Baltimore
Imam Yaseen Shaikh serves as Resident Scholar at the ISB. Imam Shaikh arrived in the United States in 2006, serving his community in Plano, Texas and raising awareness of Islam by engaging with neighboring communities. Imam Shaikh now serves at ISB's Al-Rahmah School and Qur'an Academy, where he hosts weekly sessions for youth to openly discuss faith and share experiences.
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